26 SEAL Mission-Related Physical Activities
Winter Warfare operations often require
long distance cross-country skiing or
snowshoeing which will usually have to be done
with a heavy equipment load. This activity
requires the use of a different set of muscles
than walking and running. Not all SEAL units
have a primary mission area that requires the
ability to operate in winter warfare
environments, but those that do should consider
cross-country skiing with equipment when
designing their workout programs (see Chapter
14).Specific Mission-Related Physical Tasks
In order to identify the physical demands of direct action SEAL operation, a study
was undertaken in early 1990 by the Naval Health Research Center. Missions and the
physical requirements (i.e., aerobic and anaerobic components) necessary to complete each
mission and mission segment were evaluated. In brief, a total of 82 SEALs, averaging 11
years of experience, participated in the study. Subject matter experts from operational
platoons were interviewed regarding missions they had conducted as SEALs. Information
obtained during these interviews provided the basis for a questionnaire which was
developed and given to the study participants. The questionnaire was composed of a list of
missions and mission segments such as “fast rope to the deck of a ship from a height of 40
feet, carrying a 50-pound pack.” Each SEAL participant ranked mission and mission
segments on scales to rank: difficulty of performance, frequency of performance, and
importance to mission success. The individual scores for each scale were then summed to
obtain a “composite score”. Mission tasks that received the highest composite scores are
provided below." Walk (i.e., hump) 15 km over uneven terrain at night carrying a 125 lb pack to
objective in 70°F, then retrace steps to extraction point." Serve as point person for an element, walking a distance of 42 km through
dense jungle in tropical heat and humidity over a 3-day period carrying a 60
lb pack and weapons." Swim a distance of 2,000 meters in 56°F carrying a limpet mine and using a
Dräeger; return to Zodiac without limpet, then travel 6 km to extraction point.